Whittaker was set to defend his title against Luke Rockhold in February, however ESPN reports he will now fight the winner of Rockhold and Cuban Yoel Romero.

“I’m beyond disappointed that I’m unable to defend the title in my home country of Australia,” Whittaker said.

“I hope the fans enjoy what should be a great night of fights at UFC 221 and I look forward to a recovery as soon as possible that will have me back in the Octagon to face the winner of the main event.”

The Australian suffered a grade two medial ligament injury against Romero in UFC 213 that ruled him out of a showdown with Michael Bisping.

Bisping went down to returning veteran Georges St Pierre who vacated the middlewight belt to Whittaker just 31 days later, citing health reasons.